Sunday, October 20, 2013

The Creepshow is a psychobilly/horror punk band from Ontario, Canada. Over the years since they formed in 2005, the band has built a reputation as a solid live act and developed a dedicated following of rabid fans. The band originally consisted of Jen "Hellcat" Blackwood on lead vocals and guitar, Sean "Sickboy" McNab on upright bass and backing vocals, Paul "The Reverend" McGinty on keyboards and backing vocals, Daniel Flamm on rhythm guitar and Matt "Pomade" Gee on drums.Jen was later replaced by her sister, Sara"Sin" Blackwood, after Jen became pregnant, but Sarah has since left the band and been replaced by current lead singer/guitarist, Kenda "Twisted" Legaspi. Sandro "Blood" Sanchioni also recently replaced Matt on drums. The band has just released their fourth album, Life After Death.

While there was not really a band at Woodstock that The Creepshow could be compared to, I still think the band fits into the diverse vibe of the concert. Maybe the tattoos are a little more than would have been common back in the '60s and maybe the band has a bit more... let's call it attitude... than what fans were used to back in those days, but with the qualification that the the band may have had a slightly less defined look than their present appearance, I am going to say that yes, The Creepshow are Woodstock. Even if they would probably frighten Jocko.

Friday, June 21, 2013

The Drive-By Truckers have been the premier Southern rock band for several years now, releasing album after album of roots rock that would bring a smile to the face of any Allman Brothers or Lynyrd Skynyrd fan. Younger fans have also flocked to the band that so often tells a story with each tune they play. The band has been blessed with a number of excellent songwriters and have impressed fans with their social awareness and involvement with a number of charities.

The 60s were a time frequently remembered for the sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll that so often permeated the culture, but the 60s were also a time when political activism and social discourse became a badge of honor for America's youth. In that environment there is no doubt that the Drive-By Truckers would have been one of the main attractions were they to have been available for the Woodstock stage. So the Drive-By Truckers... definitely Woodstock!

Monday, May 20, 2013

Seasick Steve, born Steven Gene Wold, is a bit of an oddity, some would say. he has a huge following just about everywhere except the United States, where he is still struggling to break into the big time. He plays a variety of instruments which he constructs himself and has names such as "The One Stringed Diddly Bo" and "The Mississippi Drum Machine." His music is best described as Americana with a heavy dose of blues.

Seasick Steve has lived as a hobo, a migrant worker and a self-professed bum, but his true calling seems to be the music with which he has entertained thousands. Of all the artists I have posted so far on this blog, none probably fit the Woodstock scene better than Seasick Steve. If he was not on the stage, you can bet he would be in the crowd. So yes, Seasick Steve most definitely would belong on the Woodstock stage.

Friday, April 19, 2013

When it was first announced that movie star and style icon Zooey Deschanel would be launching a music career, many of even her most dedicated fans were skeptical. While Zooey had been impressive in a couple of films where her vocal talents were displayed, many felt that the days when a dual career was possible for a celebrity had faded away with stars like Rosemary Clooney and Doris Day. In this day and age, it was thought, stars should choose one career and stick to it. But any doubts as to Zooey's ability to handle both an acting career and a singing career disappeared with the release of Volume One, the debut album from her collaboration with M. Ward known as She & Him.

But out question here is not whether or not Zooey has the chops to make it as a pop star, but does She & Him have what it takes to make it onto the Woodstock stage. With a retro sound that borrows heavily from the early days of rock and roll when girl groups ruled the radio as well as from the folk groups of the mid to late 1960s, She & Him definitely has a sound that would do well at Woodstock. Considering Zooey's popularity on the silver screen combined with M. Ward's solid reputation as a musician's musician, there is no doubt that She & Him definitely would have been a perfect fit for Woodstock.

Friday, March 22, 2013

Maylene and the Sons of Disaster are a hard band to label. Like Maple Mars, everyone seems to have an opnion of exactly which category the band falls into, but none of those genres is exactly right. Or maybe they all are. Southern rock, metalcore, Christian rock... The only thing that is certain is it is definitely good stuff. They are a southern rock band with metal roots that have no problem proclaiming their Christianity while avoiding the preachy lyrics that often prohibit many religious bands from breaking into the mainstream.

In fact, I have been a fan since their third album was released in 2009 and only knew for sure they were a band with a message when I did a little research for this blog post. I also learned that (also like Maple Mars) the band has only one constant member -- lead vocalist Dallas Taylor. Taylor summed up the band's philosophy by saying, "I absolutely hate shoving things down people's throats, but hiding who you are is just as bad."

So, would these self-proclaimed not-so-freaky Jesus freaks make it onto the Woodstock stage? While the band's southern leanings and Jesus-friendly attitude probably would not keep them away, I have to think those metalcore roots might be the things that would keep them at bay. So I will have to say, no, these guys are probably not Woodstock.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

There are those who will say Maple Mars is simply singer-songwriter-guitarist Rick Hromadka's stage name as the other personnel has changed on each of the band's four albums. There are also those who will say Cousin Oliver from The Brady Bunch television show engineered the band's second album. And while one or more of those statements may very well be true, the bottom line is that neither one matters. Because Robbie Rist (aka Cousin Oliver) is a damn fine engineer and Rick Hromadka (aka Maple Mars) is a damn fine one man band when he needs to be. But as fine of a solo musician he may be, he never seems to have a problem putting together an awesome line-up when the time comes.

The band (or maybe it was just Rick) has been known to describe their sound as psychedelic pop from time to time. And while some may say that they are simply power pop, I say labels do not really mean much when it comes to rock 'n' roll. You really just have to let the music do the talking. And Maple Mars' music certainly has a lot to say. With soaring pop guitars over jaunty, danceable rhythms all topped off with sugary sweet harmonies and easy-on-the-ears lead vocals, this is a band that most definitely would have been right at home on the stage at Woodstock.

Monday, January 21, 2013

Use the player above to hear songs from some of the bands recently featured here as well as some rarely played tracks from a few classic rock bands as well as a classic rock radio staple or two. It's a great way to spend an hour relaxing or it works well as background music while tackling those daily chores!

Saturday, January 19, 2013

When vocalist Ty Taylor and guitarist Nalle Colt came together to form Vintage Trouble, they clearly had in mind a band with roots deep in the rock 'n' roll tradition. Rounding out the band with bassist Rick Barrio Dill and drummer Richard Danielson, a powerhouse quartet was born. Combining elements of the blues, soul and early rock 'n' roll, the band take to the stage with a wild abandon that revs up even the most sedate audience leaving them no choice but to grab on tight and enjoy the ride.

In 2012, Vintage Trouble was handpicked by Woodstock veterans The Who to open the North American leg of their first tour in four years. Their album, The Bomb Shelter Sessions, is one of the strongest debut records from a new band in years. It is a sweet slice of bombastic plastic that makes it clear this is a band to be taken seriously. With their devoted following of die-hard fans (affectionately known as "Troublemakers"), would Vintage Trouble fit in on the Woodstock stage? Absolutely!

And if you have any doubt, just check out the video of the band performing "Hand Me Down Blues" on the Late Show with David Letterman below...

About This Blog

This blog's purpose is to answer one of the most critical questions of our time: If this were the Summer of Love, if this were July 1969 and the Woodstock Music & Art Fair were only days away... which modern day bands would be appearing at the festival? Which bands that are around today would have shared the stage with Hendrix, Santana, Grateful Dead, Creedence, Janis Joplin, The Who, Johnny Winter, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band and Sha Na Na?

About Me

There is not much to know about me. I rock. Sometimes I roll. I always fight control at least in my heart if not in my daily routines. I am a slave to the grind who realizes just how much the grind erodes my freedom. But I am lazy so I never do much about it. Oh well. I'm American. But at least I know it.